Lake Sturgeon reproduce in the Grand River for first time, researchers say - MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A team of researchers has made a major breakthrough in a project aimed to ensure one iconic Great Lakes species thrives in Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum and its team of scientists recently documented natural reproduction of Lake Sturgeon in the Grand River for the first time.

The museum and its partners – Encompass Socio-Ecological Consulting, John Ball Zoo and Grand Valley State University – captured and released a 6-inch, 4-month-old Lake Sturgeon last week as part of the Lake Sturgeon Juvenile Assessment work.

"Grand River is such an important resource and focal point within Grand Rapids, and it's our goal to conserve and share its impact with the community," said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the museum's vice president of Science and Education.

The sturgeon that was captured indicates successful reproduction and recruitment into the Grand River population. The research team has spent the last four years working to document young Lake Sturgeon in the Lower Grand River.

This year, researchers are expected to add a habitat mapping component to the project with the assistance of a GVSU graduate student.

Researchers said finding and documenting the fish indicates successful reproduction and recruitment into the Grand River population.

"Unlike the other sturgeon populations in the Lake Michigan Basin, we know very little about the Grand River population," said Dr. Marty Holtgren of Encompass Socio-Economical Consulting.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lake Sturgeon have a large protrusible, suctorial mouth on the bottom side of the head with four barbels in front of the mouth and beneath the snout. The juveniles are a sandy brown color, while adults are olive-brown to grey, according to the DNR.

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